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FAKENHAM AREA PARTNERSHIP ‘community interest company’ Community Consultation Report 2008 ‘achieving together’ © Fakenham Area Partnership FOREWORD Fakenham Area Partnership was formed in 2004 by a small group of volunteers to encourage local groups to work together for the benefit of their community. Initially it was known as Fakenham Forum. It is now one of seven area partnerships across North Norfolk, each of them centred on the region’s principal towns. Registered as a Community Interest Company, the partnership is headed by a board of directors, has its office at Fakenham Connect and is supported by the North Norfolk Community Partnership, both financially and administratively. In addition to Fakenham, its reach extends to 20 parishes surrounding the town. Initially the partnership put its main effort towards two key projects which it continues to support. These are a Tourist Information Point housed in the town library and a summer display of hanging flower baskets outside town centre shops and businesses. Following the appointment of a coordinator in 2006, a major consultation exercise sought to gather information on community needs and local priorities. This so-called Health Check enabled the partnership to build up a picture of the principal concerns of both the town and its hinterland. In 2007, an area of land close to the River Wensum was acquired on behalf of the partnership at auction. Edmondson’s Acres is just over five acres of pasture which is being managed in association with the Wensum Valley Trust, DEFRA and the town council. Thanks to a Community Project Fund, the partnership has encouraged applications for grants from community groups in both the town and parishes. It has been able to support a wide variety of small projects which make a real difference to people’s lives. © Fakenham Area Partnership Contents 1. Introduction 2. General Information 3. Transport and Employment 4. Community 5. Leisure, Housing and Environment 6. Young People 7. And Finally 8. Action Plan 1. Introduction Welcome to the Fakenham Area Partnership Community Health Check. This work has been funded by the North Norfolk Community Partnership. The aim of the consultation was to seek local residents’ views on a variety of subjects to try and ascertain the priorities for the area. This will identify local needs and provide an evidence database for potential projects which intend to address the identified priorities. Nearly 8,000 questionnaires were distributed within the Partnership Area with a return of around 10%. We also carried out a specific consultation with younger residents to balance the number of replies from this age group. We are pleased with the response and thank everyone who took the time to complete the questionnaire or file one online. “Fakenham Area Partnership aims to encourage local people, groups and organisations to work together for the benefit of the whole community. Through consultation and mutual support we aim to promote and improve community, economic and environmental sustainability.” The aims and objectives of the Fakenham Area Partnership are: Ÿ To create a support network to pull together ideas from the community. Ÿ To help community groups find and access funding to bring their ideas to life. Ÿ To encourage a safe and social environment, which offers a variety of interests for all ages. Ÿ To encourage a vibrant economy, promoting business development and tourism. Ÿ To promote an attractive and welcoming environment. Ÿ To foster a culture of lifelong learning and promote equality of opportunities for all. Ÿ To develop the Partnership as an effective means of delivery and co-ordination. 3 © Fakenham Area Partnership 2. General Information Fakenham Area Partnership is made up of 21 parishes as well as Fakenham itself - Questionnaires were made available to all via door to door delivery, an online version and also from various pick up points. The health check itself was publicised through the local press, the partnership website and various public meetings and displays. Around three quarters of the replies came from residents who live in the Fakenham parish with the remainder split between the other 20. No replies were received from Tattersett. Area Partnership, population spread and demographics Barsham 0.40% Briningham 0.30% Dunton 0.40% Fakenham 75.70% Fulmodeston 2.10% Great Snoring 0.40% Helhoughton 1.10% Hempton 4.40% Hindolveston 1.40% Kettlestone 1.40% Little Snoring 1.40% Pudding Norton 1.80% Raynham 0.80% Ryburgh 3.20% Sculthorpe 3.20% Stibbard 1.30% Swanton Novers 0.10% Tattersett 0.0% Thurning 0.10% Thursford 0.40% Wood Norton 0.40% 4 © Fakenham Area Partnership The majority of respondents were female 58% as opposed to 42% of men Male More than half of the respondents to the main questionnaire were aged 41 or over. Female 42% 58% See page 13 An additional outreach survey addressed the initial under representation of younger people. Under 16 1% 16-19 3.20% 20-26 2.40% 27-40 14.10% 41-60 32.90% over 60 46.40% Residents were questioned on their knowledge of local government representation. The majority of respondents did not know who their District, Parish or Town Councillors were, or where council meetings were held . The percentage was roughly the same in all three cases. However 71% were able to identify their member of parliament. Yes Yes 41.4% 34.8% No 58.6% No 65.2% Do you know who your Town Do you know who your District Councillor is? or Parish Councillors are? Yes Yes 71.2% 40.7% No 59.3% No 28.8% Do you know where and when your local Do you know who your local MP is? parish or town council holds its meetings? 5 © Fakenham Area Partnership 3. Transport and Employment Nearly half of the people questioned use a car to get to work, college or the shops. Over a quarter were environmentally conscious and either used pedal power or walked. Over 12% of people are dependent upon public transport, with the majority choosing bus or train. What form of transport do you use to get to work, college, shops? (indicate all forms used regularly) Train 0.7% Bus 9.1% Car 47.8% Bike 7.8% Walk 22.9% Lift 4% Disability Scooter 1% Public Transport 2.8% Other 3.8% Are you dependent on public transport? If you use public transport please indicate which Yes 12.7% Train 25.1% Bus 64.5% Community 5.4% Bus Community 1.1% No Scheme 87.3% Other 4.1% How Frequently do you use public transport? A few times a month 42.50% A few times a year 11.30% Most Days 7.10% Most weeks 2.90% Never 36.20% 6 © Fakenham Area Partnership The partnership area is quite rural and travelling from A to B can be difficult when relying upon public transport. Many households have both parents in work and therefore transport is a major consideration. Just over half of respondents have 2 cars in the household and nearly a third with 3 or more. Only a small percentage do not have a car. How many cars are in your household? None 13.40% 1 50.60% 2 29.30% 3 or more 6.80% Around 6% of respondents were unemployed, 36% were in employment, just under a 10th were self employed, but the majority were recorded as retired. What is your employment status? Employed 36.4% Retired 44.8% Self Employed 9.2% Student 3.5% Unemployed 6.1% Quite a large number of those in work, do so on a part-time If employed or self employed basis. Just under half work in the Fakenham area, around where do you work? 5% work from home. Those who work in Norwich and nearby towns made up less than one fifth. Do you work? Full Time 31.70% N/A 49.90% Part Time 18.40% Fakenham 49.30% Norwich 4.90% Kings Lynn 3.30% Dereham 2.20% Swaffham 0.80% Wells 2.20% Home 4.90% Village where you live 1.60% Other 30.90% 7 © Fakenham Area Partnership Questions relating to the type of employment indicated that almost one quarter of respondents were employed in the public sector. Type of Employment Retail 9.90% Farming 2.10% Factory Work 5.30% Office 14.20% Leisure & Tourism 3.50% Catering 4.30% Public Sector 22.70% Other 38% Please indicate which areas of employment there is more of a need for in the area Retail 16.70% Farming 5.90% Factory Work 15.60% Office 10.10% Leisure & Tourism 13.80% Catering 3.80% Public Sector 8.70% Other 25.40% 8 © Fakenham Area Partnership 4. Community Respondents do most of their shopping in the local area, but shop in Norwich, Kings Lynn and Dereham from time to time. Please indicate up to 3 areas where When it came to tourism over 85% felt that it was you do most of your general shopping either quite important or very important to encourage tourism in the area, only 2% stated that it should not be encouraged. How important do you feel it is to encourage tourism in the area? Fakenham 38.10% Norwich 19.40% Kings Lynn 19.30% Dereham 14.60% Very Important 48.30% Swaffham 2.10% Quite Important 38.20% Wells 2.50% Not Important 6.70% Other 3.90% Should be encouraged 2.00% Dont know 4.80% In addition to questions about general shopping and tourism, residents were asked about the farmers market, internet access, the use of the library and community Do you shop at the Fakenham Market or groups. Farmers' Market more than 6 times a year? The Farmers Market is very popular and provides a good service for the local residents and nearly two thirds of those replying use the market more than 6 times a year.